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75 3<To 3 




Copyright, 1910 
By LAURA CLIFFORD BARNEY 

[All Rights Reserved.] 




V. D 22337 




LITHOGRAPHS BY A. HOEN & CO. 
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 





PREFACE. 

Introductions should often be divided into two unequal 
parts— one for the reader of little patience; the other for the 
heroic investigator. So, first, I shall briefly say that this 
work portrays but a fragment of one of the most dramatic 
periods in history, and is but a limited presentation of the 
most vast philosophy yet known to man. For the rest, 
beware ! hasty reader, and turn over these pages, unless you 
feel the wish to know what my subject really is, and why I 
have chosen to express such a subject in drama. 

From earliest times it has been the office of the 
theatre to present the forces and events which form the 
lives of men. It originated in antiquity at the foot of the 
altar of the Gods, whose will was there shown forth to mortals 
in sacred performances; also, in the middle ages fervent 
Christians acted the mystery plays in the very shadow of the 
Church. But another theatre arose almost simultaneously 
with these sacred performances— a theatre dedicated to the 
portrayal of human passions ; and from this is descended the 
theatre of today. 

Some regard it merely as a temple of art; others believe 
that its highest expression is attained only when it contributes, 
also, to the moral development of society; and, consequently, 
they deplore certain abuses of the present theatre which 
appeal too often to the base emotions of men and array vice 
in the multi-coloured veils of dissimulation. This 
modern tendency to present the heedless conduct of the 







minority in a form so alluring that it calls forth toleration, 
sympathy and encouragement, can be only harmful. 

The writers of plays should always be true psycholo- 
gists: then if they treat of the faults of men and women 
they will do so boldly and show them as they really are, 
and the result will be good; for when the mirror of truth is 
held before the gaze, he is blind indeed who can turn away 
uninfluenced by the sight of a disorderly reflection. Masters 
of the dramatic art always have been genuine moralists. 
Who, on seeing Shakespeare's plays, does not realize the 
evils of ambition, jealousy, and licentiousness; or, behold- 
ing the personages of Moliere, perceive the folly of frivolity, 
hypocrisy and pedantry? 

The theatre, like all other forces, may upbuild or 
shatter. It can be a mighty instrument for spreading 
ideas broadcast ; and, for this reason, I believe that the 
wave of regeneration, which is sweeping over the world, 
should take form also on the stage ; and am trying, there- 
fore, in this play, to bring before the public some of the 
most inspiring events of our epoch. 

My scene is laid in the distant Orient, in a country full 
of archaic and barbaric customs— the Persia of over half a 
century ago ; but the aspirations of my heroes are of all 
ages and of all lands. 

I only regret that I might not thoroughly describe the 
life of Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad, the Bab, from 1844, when 
he first felt impelled to guide men to nobler ways of 
thought and of life : how hate and jealousy sprang up in his 




VI 





path, but how his unswerving will surmounted all obstacles; 
how he was persecuted, imprisoned, and finally killed in 
1 850 ; how he imbued thousands of his Persian brothers 
with courage and righteousness, and prepared them to 
await a greater disclosure of- truth from One who should 
come to complete the work of reformation ; how, in their 
turn, his followers bore the greatest hardships brought 
upon them by the infuriated clergy and populace, and even 
were killed in tens of thousands on account of their un- 
orthodox belief ; and how, in those days of persecution, 
Baha'u'llah stood forth in the fury of the storm, gathering 
around him the disciples of the Bab, and declaring the deeper 
meaning of his message. Then, I should have liked to tell 
of the transformation of Babism into Bahaism through the 
teaching of Baha'u'llah, who explained that, beside the reform 
of perversions in Islam, there should be a general reform of 
all abuses in human society; and that the barriers of hate 
between castes, between nations, and between religions 
should be levelled, so that all men might unite in one great 
brotherhood under an universal code of love and of honour, 
free from superstition, division and dogma. It is a pity not 
to recount Baha'u'llah's life minutely, not to follow him step 
by step through his exile from country to country, to his final 
imprisonment in Acca. Brought up amid the luxuries of a 
noble family he yet accepted with joy all privations which 
came to him during his tedious banishment and long con- 
finement, until in 1892 he died, leaving to his remarkable 
son ' Abdu'1-Baha the mission of spreading his word through- 






out the world. That cry of regeneration raised behind 
prison walls now echoes abroad in the hearts of men. 

All this I would have written in full detail, but a play is 
a play, and not a series of books. I have, therefore, presented 
to the public only a few episodes in the early Babi history, 
and only a few of the noted characters of that period : yet, 
even this imperfect sketch should suffice to give an idea of 
the vastness of the movement. 

I have thought it preferable not to have the Bab or 
Baha'u'llah appear on the scene, for certain beings cannot 
be adequately impersonated ; their influence, nevertheless, 
will be felt throughout the play, and especially in the life of 
the splendid Qurratu'l-'Ain, who stands forth in history as 
an example of what the disciple of truth can accomplish 
despite hampering custom, and violent persecution. 

Indulgent reader, I am aware that the only merit of 
my play is its subject ; yet I hope, notwithstanding, to 
give you a glimpse of Eastern glory, and to awaken your 
interest in this great movement, the universal religion — 
Bahaism, which is today bringing peace and hope to 
expectant humanity. 



L. C. B. 





Paris, April, 1909. 






PERSONS OF THE DRAMA 

Qurratu'i,- 'Ain, afterwards named Tahira. Divinely human . 

Fatima Qurratu'i,- ' Ain 's younger sister. Gen- 
tle and womanly. 

IvAila Akbar's wife. Delicate and broken- 
hearted. 

Daia Old nurse. Mistakes vice for virtue 

through habit and desire. 

The Kaeantar's First Wife. 

The Kai,antar's Second Wiee, and mother of the betrothed. 

Ruhangis The young betrothed of Akbar. 

A Visitor. 

Two Little Boys.... Qurratu'i,-' Ain 's children. 

Sauh QurraTu'-i/Ain's father. Benevolent. 

' Au Qurratu'i,-' Ain's uncle. Broad-minded, 

well-balanced. 

Taoi Qurratu'i,- 'Ain's uncle and father-in- 
law. Arrogant, heedless. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab Qurratu'i,- 'Ain's brother. Upright, 

stem Muhammadan . 

See next page for continuation of Cast. 







Muhammad Ourratu'i^-'Ain's husband and cousin 

Worldly, good looking. 

Quddus Beautiful, (esthetic and virile. 

Husain: The Kai^antar's son. Ardent, intelli 

gent, and sympathetic . 

Akbar Passionate , ambitious, resentful. 

Amin Old family friend. Sincere, but narrow, 

Bashir Old negro servant. Devoted and pathetic . 

Shirazi Type of war-like follower of Muhammad, 

Yif > Usual type of Babi. Brave, clear headed. 

A Babi In name only, not in thought. 

Ahmad An inquiring and kindly mind. 

Nasir Negro eunuch. Silent personage. 

Mullas, Babis, Soldiers, Servants, Musicians, Women, 
Handmaidens, and Dancer. 

SCENE: PERSIA. TIME: 1848 TO 1852. 

Note. — For the convenience of the Western public, the 
titles of address, which, always accompany oriental names, 
have been omitted throughout the play. 





ACT 



QASWIN 



A PERSIAN ROSE-GARDEN 




DAWN 



THE AZAN CALLS THE FAITHFUL TO AWAKE 




ACT I 

Scene — The -night is breaking into day, and 
the Azan, the call for prayer chanted from the 
minaret of the mosque, is summoning the Faithful 
to awake. A Persian rose garden breathes its 
sweetness upon the air. Around a fountain are 
high wooden couches covered over with sombre 
carpets, where men are sleeping. The awakening 
day draws them slowly from their slumbers. The 
men arise. Their faces and hands are sprinkled 
with rose water, turbans are wound on the fez, and 
sashes wrapped around the waist, the long flowing 
abas are slipped over the shoulders. 

Scene I 



'Au, Taot, Amin, Akbar. Later Bashir, Shirazi, 
Nasir and Sauh. 

'Ali 
Awake, my honoured comrades, come from the world 
of sleep to the world of reality. 

Akbar 
Ah! I am numb. I have slept in a false position. 

Taqi 
I go to the mosque, for after prayer I must detain the 
worshippers to urge them to exterminate the 
followers of Anti-Christ. 

'Ali 
But they are of the noblest men in the land. Reflect 
on their merit, then justice will prompt you to 
cease your futile and unwarranted denunciations. 






God's Heroes 

Taqi 

Still must they die, for it is commanded to kill the 
infidel. 

(Taqi goes out shadoived by Shirazi who, 
at the beginning of the Act, had entered tlie garden 
unnoticed, but who, on hearing these words turns 
back and glides after Taqi, muttering.) 

Shirazi 

Your own condemnation will condemn you, for the 
vengence of Allah is swift and sure ! 

( The prayer to Allah is performed; then 
the glittering samovar is borne in and set down 
on a huge brass tray; everything is deftly pre- 
pared, and the men seat themselves to drink the 
honey-coloured tea.) 

Salih 
{entering) 

Greetings to you my beloved guests ! I hope the 
night has spread the balm of rest upon your wearied 
bodies; but, 'Ali, has our noble brother already 
left us ? 

'Aw 
[ironically) 

Yes, gone to the mosque for prayer, to commune 
with God ! 

Akbar 

Taqi has great work to perform, for to-day he will 
publicly denounce the Anti-Christ, the false 
"Bab." 





Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

Salih 
The existence of this sect is a fiery torment to him. 

Akbar 

And should be to all good Muslims, for has not this 
young imposter usurped that great title, "Bab," 
the Gate of Knowledge ? 

'An 

Still, Akbar, his followers say he proves his claim 
for those who care to listen. 

Salih 
{turning to where Amin is heavily sleeping} 

Ah ! Amin slumbers still ! 

'Ali 

Yes, our dear old friend heard not the Muazzin sum- 
moning us to arise, nor my cruel voice jarring on 
the stillness, but perhaps the soft hum of the 
samovar will rouse him. 

Amin 
{waking reluctantly} 



Peace be upon you ! 



Upon you be peace ! 



All 



Salih 
Did you rest, Amin, according to the desire of a 
loving host ? 






God's Heroes 

Amin 
(beckoning for tea) 

Your rose-garden is a corner of Paradise, and your 
company is sweeter to my soul than dark-eyed 
houris; but last night's discussion, in the form of 
scorpions, haunted my dreams and envenomed all 
my rest. 

(beckons for more sugar.) 

Akbar 

Respected comrade, it was your conscience rebelling 
against the words you spoke in favour of the ' 'Bab, ' ' 
as his deluded followers call him. 

'Ali 

Jeer not at this "Bab" for it may be through this 
Gate that we enter the Way. 

Akbar 
Way of Destruction ! 

Amin 

(shifting uncomfortably) 
Destruction ! Why destruction ? 

Akbar 

Do you not know that he declares that the official 
religion, that the established religion of our fore- 
fathers, must give way to his teachings ? 



Salih 



But on what grounds? 





Act I 



A Persian Rose-Garden 



'Ai,i 




He insists that the message of truth is never final, 
but must ever be renewed in accordance with the 
needs and development of man. 

Akbar 
Why ! If these impious words were true, the forms 
of belief would change and the infallibility of the 
priesthood be destroyed ! No ! Religion is final, 
and Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets ; as we 
are the anointed ones, the guides of the people, 
I therefore say that whoever harkens to the words 
of this young heretic enters the way of destruction 
and damnation. May God assist us to eradicate 
this evil ! 

{rises nervously and walks up and down.) 

'Ali 
You also know the answer to your words, for you 
have heard it from my lips. 

Akbar 
I acknowledge that you are skilled in the art of 
sophistry, but I do not wish to discuss the subject 
further. It makes my blood boil with righteous 
indignation ! 

'Ali 
Toleration is a virtue, my revered Mulla ; so permit 
me to continue to speak of this with our friends 
here present. 

(Akbar shrugs his shoulders and soon after 
disappears from view. ) 





God's Heroes 

Salih 
Why be impatient, revered doctor ? Words, if true, 
will find echo in the hearts of men ; or, if false, will 
fade upon the air. 

{He turns towards 'All) 
Well, loved brother, tell us why our religion is not 
final. 

'Aw 

How good it is to find a listening ear, for many are 
deafened by fear or pride. 

Amin 
{interrupts with satisfied complacency} 

I have been always an eager watcher, a listener intent ; 
but speak. 

'Aia 

Religions are diversified expressions of one Truth; they 
must be renewed by a succession of universal 
Prophets, who show forth this one Truth in the 
forms best suited to the ages in which they live. 

SAI.IH 
So you think religions must change to accord with 
the evolution of humanity ? 

'Ali 
Surely ! Truth cannot be final with regard to us, for 
we, as we develop, more fully understand; and 
does not our growth in knowledge increase our 
capacity to receive ? 

Amin 
Most logical, most logical ! 




A Persian Rose-Garden 



'Ali 



The Prophets work all together for they have one aim, 
and they follow one law. They differ only in the 
application of that law. 

Salih 
Still, Christ, did he not break the sabbath and change 
the Mosaic law of divorce ? Was not that enough 
to perplex the Jews ? 

'Ali 
Not if they had been seekers after the reality instead 
of obstinate slaves of habit. Verily the changed 
times had new requirements, which necessitated 
putting aside the exoteric law ; the esoteric law 
remained the same. 

( During the latter part of this conversation 
knocking at the gate is heard.) 




Scene II 

Enter Muhammad, Husain and 'Abdu'l-Wahab. 
Muhammad 
Peace be upon you ! 

All 
Upon you be peace ! 

Salih 
Welcome to my humble garden, which, until your 
coming, was unadorned, but now is enriched by 
your presence ! 





God's Heroes 

HUSAIN 

Your hospitality is as vast as your generous heart, and 
my stay in Qaswin has been made so alluring 
that, if duty did not bid me depart, I should fain 
not journey further. 

Am in 
Eh! Husain, were I the son of the Mayor of Tihran 
I should feel free not to bend to duty ! 

Muhammad 
We stopped for you on our way to the mosque, that 
we might all walk thither together. 

Amin 
Sweet thought — to make the road to sanctity less long 
and lonely; but it is yet early, tarry a while, and 
drink some fragrant tea. 

{all seat themselves. ) 

Husain 
Where is your honoured guest, Akbar, my future 



fellow-traveller ? 



'An 



He walked toward the harem, sending Nasir before 
him to carry the news of his coming. 

Amin 
Indeed a model husband ! 

Sadih 

Liala is broken-hearted at Akbar's change of plan, 
for now she cannot accompany him on his pilgrim- 
age to Mecca. 



10 




A Persian Rose-Garden 



Muhammad 
Why, has he decided to leave here long before the 
month of pilgrimage ? 



Salih 



Yes. 




Such a disappointment will increase her ill-health, the 
more, as she suspects that Akbar desires to take 
another bride. 

Salih 

Fortune favouring him, he would wed Husain's youth- 
ful sister, rich in gold, position, and beauty. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 
He is wise to consider his own good pleasure, and 
journey with Husain. 

Muhammad 
Women are always safer at home ; the less they see, 
the better ; blessed is the custom that keeps them 
veiled and apart from men ! 

'Ali 
But then how can they develop and become compan- 
ions for man ? 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 
They see their near relatives : that suffices ; further 
freedom would lead to immorality. 

'Ali 
Knowledge guards virtue better than constraint, 



ll 





God's Heroes 

Muhammad 
Women lack sound judgment ; they must be guided 
and not permitted to decide for themselves. There 
is my wife, Qurratu'l-'Ain, who journeyed to 
Karbala and dwelt many months in that sacred city. 
Did she become more firm in faith, more enlight- 
ened ? God forbid ! She mistook night for day 
and vice for virtue ; she has turned from the faith 
of her fore-fathers to follow an impious imposter ! 

'Ali 
But Muhammad, consider ; before condemning her 
you had better inquire more fully into the matter. 
Have not you, yourself, always loudly praised 
Qurratu'l-'Ain, as a model of virtue, and declared 
her understanding of the sacred books equal to 
that of the most learned Mujtahid in the land ? 
Why now condemn her judgment ? 

Salih 

If only my daughter claimed herself to be the 

"Bab," the Gate of Knowledge, her claim I would 

believe. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

Yes, revered father; I, too, know my sister to be wise, 
but now she is misguided. We must save her from 
herself ; we must bring her back to her husband, and 
to the true religion ! 

Muhammad 
I bemoan the cruel folly which keeps her far from my 
home since her return from Karbala. I will not 
accept a Babi wife, but I would welcome a repentant 
woman. 



12 





Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 
Cousin, you are in the right; we must exterminate 
this great evil ! 

'Ali 

Again I ask you to investigate before condemning. 

Muhammad 
Is it not enough to know that this young heretic 
desires to extend the barriers of our religion and 
country to include the domains of the infidel ? 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 
{rising) 

Iyet us go to the mosque to hear your father warn the 
people. 

Akbar 

(e?itering in anger') 

Verily, we must admonish the followers of Islam to 
take up arms against the enemy of Allah and of 
the Prophet, for he is a menace to faith, nation, 
and home ! 

Amin 

You seem terribly in earnest. 

Akbar 
Yes, unto death I swear enmity against this pre- 
tended "Bab" and against his followers ! Even 
though they be of my own kindred, I swear that I 
will hound them to death or to repentance ! 

'Au 

A rash vow can bring no good to the speaker, and if 
this cause be of God it is above the threats of men. 



13 




God's Heroes 

Akbar 
Are you one of this despised sect that you ever speak 
in their favour ? 

Amin 
{jokingly) 

Your attitude invites confidence. 

{All walk toward the garden gate. ' Ali and 
Amin bring up the rear , talking together.) 

Akbar's anger grows ever more intense ; something 
he heard in the harem, perhaps. 

'Ali 
So it appears. Probably Qurratu'l-'Ain reproached 
him for neglecting his wife and for trying to win 
Husain's sister. 

Scene; III 



{Women otter, clad in garments of varied hues, 
and bear off the samovar to a corner of the garden. 
They sit in a circle on the ground. Their voices 
sound like the twittering of many birds.) 




Enter Daia, Laila. 



Later Fatima, Qurratu'l-'Ain and 
Bashir. 



Daia 
Mulla Akbar took you to wife because it is seemly for 
a man of God to protect an orphan, and you should 
therefore show deep gratitude. 

Laila 
If he was so kind, then, why is he so unkind, now ? 
He promised to take me with him to Mecca : must 
not a man of God keep his promise ? 




•«■ 



V. 



Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

Da i a 
Folly, child ! a man cannot be held responsible for a 
promise given when he is under the influence of 
woman, (musingly} The applause he got for mar- 
rying an orphan has died out now. He has to find 
other means to attract the attention of men. 



But why ? 



IyAILA 



Data 



To become Mujtahid; and you should not be a hin- 
drance to him in his great ambition. You should 
be a loving, silent wife, desirous of bearing every- 
thing for the good pleasure of your lord. 
(Fatima /ozw-y them.) 

Fatima 
What has your master decided, fair Laila ? Will he 
remain to make the pilgrimage with you in due 
season ? 

Laila 

No, Fatima, my husband leaves me here. But my 
grief will be less bitter because, though I am only a 
distant relative, your loving hospitality has made 
me feel that this is my home. 

{weeps and walks away. ) 

Fatima 
Did you not tell Akbar that such a shock may shatter 
her frail life ? 

Da i a 
I did, but I suppose he knows better than you or I 
what are his own wishes. 




15 





God's Heroes 

Fatima 
Did not Qurratu'l-'Ain speak to him ? 

Daia 
Indeed, she did; and in a most unwomanly manner. 

Fatima 
She could not have been unveiled before him. 




Daia 
No, not bold to that extent, but when addressing man 
she seems not to remember the inferiority of woman. 
She dared bid him follow duty instead of ambition, 
and even said that it is vanity to go to holy places 
unless the heart is holy. Young women are 
changing. In my day they were silent and sub- 
missive. 

{they walk on.) 

(Qurratu'l-'Ain enters slowly ; her head is 
slightly bent and her fingers count her beads; she 
stops, slips the tasbih over her wrist, and takes a 
heavy-headed rose into her hand ; bending, she 
breathes into it deeply. Fatima rises from the 
circle of women and comes toward her and lays 
her head on her shoulder ; Qurratu'Iv-'Ain looks 
up from the flower into the beautiful up-turned 
face ; smiling, she presses her lips on Fatima 's 
forehead and gently strokes her long, dark hair. 
The women are alike Ourratu'l- ' Ain is sterner 
and paler ; her sister, sweeter and fresher .) 

Fatima 
What vision appears to you in the splendour of this 
spring morning, Qurratu'l-'Ain ? 



16 





■^ 



V 



Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

QlJRRATu'l/-'AlN 

From all sides I see new life rising; the struggle 
between the hardened soil and the maturing seed is 
over. Soon, upon all things, summer will spread 
victorious beauty ! 

Fatima 

But it will fade with autumn leaves and fall under 
the chill breath of winter, and winter holds all 
beings fast in crystallized forms. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Still, even the end has a beginning, for spring will 
again conquer, sister mine. So, when, as now, 
ancient faiths have become rigid in cold dead forms, 
a new faith germinates in the souls of men. 

Fatima 
You believe that Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad, the Bab, 
has transformed the season of dead faith into a 
spiritual springtime ? 

QURRATU'lv- ' Ain 
Yes, he is the founder of a new era ; men will receive 
fresh disclosures of truth through his teachings. 

Fatima 
Why is truth not given once for all ? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Because relativeness and evolution are laws of the 
universe ; you must think of the world as a great 
school, where, from time to time, new teachers and 
new instructions are needed. All great teachers 
strive to accomplish the same end— to perfect man. 



«^*- » -tffcfr 




God's Heroes 

Bash i r 
{entering) 

Honoured mistress, Mulla Muhammad is hastening 
here and would speak with you in private. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Bid him enter, the ladies are going. 
{exeunt women.) 




Scene IV 

Muhammad enters hastily. 
Muhammad 
Qurratu'l-'Ain, while my father was denouncing the 
Babis and exhorting the worshippers to take up 
arms against them, I left the mosque, and hastened 
hither to warn you against the danger of adhering 
to your scandalous faith ; and to make a final appeal 
to you, to return to my home— our home. Think 
of the time we have lived apart. Why this cruel 
separation ? for have we not all things to bring us 
together ? — youth, kindred .... 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
You are intolerant. I,ook no further for the reason of 
our disunited lives; I am ever ready to live with 
you, but you will not let me. 

Muhammad 
Why, my beloved, I yearn for you! Never for a 
moment have I been resigned to this cruel separa- 
tion. 



IS 






Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

QURRATU'L-'AlN 

Then why prolong it ? 

Muhammad 

I cannot permit my wife to be a Babi; I cannot have 
her bring shame and ridicule into my respected 
home. Even now I am jeered at on all sides for 
not having yet divorced you. Reflect ! must not 
the power of my love be great, to have prevented 
me from putting you aside under all this accusation? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
If you would free yourself from fear of public opinion 
you would find peace and happiness. Ah ! if you 
would only listen to me and follow the decree of 
your own freed judgment ! 

Muhammad 
The world's judgment is my judgment; think not, my 
misguided wife, that your words will unbalance my 
mind. I am right, for public opinion is with me. 

Qurr ATU 'iv-' A IN 
Public opinion rarely apprehends either the end or 
the beginning. 

Muhammad 

Say not foolish words, woman; if you had but seen, a 

few moments ago, the eyes of the worshippers flash 

with anger at the bare mention of the false Bab, 

you would appreciate the force of public opinion. 

Qurratu'd-'Ain 
But when it rests on a basis of ignorance it must 
surely crumble. 



19 





God's Heroes 

Muhammad 
(pursuing his thought) 

While my father was representing the vileness of this 
imposter, cursing him as a son of perdition . . . 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

( interrupting ) 

Ah! he did that! he calumniated that saint ! {She 
seems to enter a visionary state. ) I see his mouth 
fill with blood, for an evil curse brings punishment 
upon the lips of the speaker. I foresee men full 
of hate hounding the innocent followers of the 
Bab, trying to crush the hearts of the Faithful. 
I foresee the Faithful dying with the prayer of for- 
giveness on their lips. I foresee persecution and 
the fury of oppression over all our country. I 
foresee little children, old people, women, and men, 
tortured for their conviction. I foresee multitudes, 
multitudes of killed, testifying that they have con- 
quered, though they are dead ! But ah ! I see those 
who will really suffer — the murderers, those who 
have the hiss of hate in their hearts! 



Muhammad 

Qurratu'l-'Ain, are you going mad ? 
mean about my father ? 



What do you 



Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Ivisten ! law governs all; those who go against the 
law are crushed into obedience. Taqi opposes the 
truth : he will attract to himself the consequence of 
this action. It is inevitable. 



20 - 




s 



w 



Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

Muhammad 
Cease these idle words and answer me. Will you 
abandon this degrading belief and come back to my 
home ? 

QuRRATu'ir-'AiN 
Hear my pleading, Muhammad, allow me to speak 
to you of this great Cause, and be a ready listener; 
then shall our lives be transformed, and together 
we will uplift the souls of men to vast realities ! 

Muhammad 
Not one word more will I hear upon this subject ! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Then let me live silently by your side, showing you 
by my life the beauty of the Bab's commandments. 

Muhammad 

We cannot be together unless you openly deny this 

belief ; my wife must be spotless before all men ! 

{During these words an uproar arises in 
the city; it grows, nearer and nearer , louder and 
louder ; the gate is burst open and in rushes 
Amin . ) . 

Scene V 

The same. Afterwards Akbar, Nasir, Shirazi, Husain 
and Soldiers. 

Amin 
Horror ! Horror ! Your revered father has been 
killed. 



21 





God's Heroes 

Muhammad 
What ! What mean these words ? 

Amin 
On the road that leads from the mosque, at the turn- 
ing, a dagger was thrust into Taqi's mouth and he 
fell dead. 

Akbar 
(entering} 
The three assassins have been arrested ; they are 
Babis, and followers of your wife! 

Muhammad 

(to Qurratu'i^-'Ain, who has veiled herself at the entrance 
of Amin.) 

Deny your association with them ! 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 
They cannot be the murderers. 

Akbar 

Strange that when Taqi spoke openly against this 

vile sect, that same hour he was silenced forever. 

Muhammad 
If you recant not, I clearly see that it is you who 
have prompted this act ; for do I not remember your 
words: "I see his mouth fill with blood"? Deny, 
if you can ! 

Qurratu'i.-'Ain 
I spoke of an universal law of retribution, not of 
the plot of a criminal. 



22 





A Persian Rose-Garden 




Muhammad 

Before you all, I repudiate her ! I repudiate her ! 
I repudiate her ! {Turning to Amin.) Where have 
they borne my martyred father ? 

Amin 
I will lead you to him. 

{Retires with Muhammad.) 

Akbar 

Justice will decree that you be severely punished for 

this foul act, and your three accomplices killed! 

Shirazi 
{rushing in) 

They are all guiltless, it is I who stopped his blas- 
phemy from bursting forth anew. Give freedom 
to the innocent, and take me in their stead ! 

Akbar 
So you also are of this despised sect ? Your self- 
accusation may be a trick to save your comrades. 

Shirazi 
No, they could not have slain Taqi, for many saw, 
them in the court of the mosque while I was wait- 
ing at the turning of the lane with this, ready in 
my grasp ! 

{Shows his bloody dagger.) 

Akbar 

{to Nasir) 
Go, bring the guards! (Turning to Shirazi.) Then 
you received orders from Qurratu'l-'Ain to do this 
act ? 



23 




God's Heroes 



Shirazi 



I came here at dawn to give her news from afar, but 
saw her not. The words of Taqi angered me, and 
I decided then to slay him before his proclamation ; 
failing that, after his denunciation I silenced him 
forever ! 

Akbar 

So the Babis conquer their enemies by murdering 
them, and this is how you would regenerate the 
world ! 

Shirazi 

In this then do I practice the law you preach : "We 
are commanded to kill the infidel." 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

But in our faith, we are to conquer the enemy by 
wisdom and love ; and you, Shirazi, have done 
wrong in following the injunctions of the past. 




Akbar 

(ironically) 
Can a disciple of the Bab err ? 



Qurratu'i^-'Ain 

Know that even disciples of the truth maj r be igno- 
rant at first, and harm the very cause they cherish. 

Akbar 

The world's regeneration you preach will indeed be 
slow in coming. 



24 




Act I A Persian Rose-Garden 

QURRATU 'L-' A IN 

It cannot be accomplished in a day, for only through 
repeated effort can man rise above habit and 
passion. Yet, to this noble task must we devote 
our lives. 

Husain 
{entering with soldiers) 

I have heard that the self-accused murderer is here. 

Akbar 

Yes, this is the wretch ! Soldiers, take him to prison 
to join the other three assassins. They shall all be 
executed at the same time ! 



Shirazi 



But they must be freed ! 
alone, am guilty. 



They are innocent. I, 



Akbar 

All four shall die, and I only wish that at the same 
time, all the Babis might be exterminated ! 



Husain 



But, justice 



Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Farewell Shirazi, learn to die with gentleness in your 
heart, rather than violent retribution. The old war- 
like age must give place to peace, patience and 
wisdom. 




25 




Gcd's Heroes 



Act I — A Persian Rose-Garden 



HUSAIN 
{half to himself as he gets a glimpse of 
Qurkatu'i,-'Ain's face) 

How beautiful she is— how courageous ! 

Qurratu'Iv-'A IN 
(continuing} 

The sword must be sheathed, and our arms extended 
to all humanity ! 




CURTAIN. 



26 





ORIENTAL LIVING-ROOM 

IN 

QURRATU'L-'AIN'S FATHER'S HOUSE 





w. 





28 



ACT II 

Scene — The room is ornamented with very blue 
tiles, heavy beams, and lattice of sombre wood. The 
hangings and rugs blend in soft colours, and 
jugs and many brass ornaments shine out boldly. 
Fatima is seated on the window-sill looking out into 
the garden of roses. Old Bashir is near-by. IvAiLA 
is lying on a heap of pillows on the floor; her flash- 
ing eyes, her flushed then pallid face, denote that 
death is claiming her. By her side is Dai a holding 
an infant; she rocks to and fro crooning a fantastic 
song, a song which causes the sick woman to shud- 
der with the fear of death. 



Scene I 

Daia, IyAiLA, Fatima, Bashir. Later Qurratu'i^-'Ain. 
Da i a 
{chanting monotonously") 
Woman has two masters, 
Woman is never free; 
Body and soul she is captive, 
Caught in the net of fatality. 
See this dimpled infant, 
She too will be a maid, 
In full freshness of her beauty 
She will be wedded to a male. 
Woman has two masters, 
Woman is never free; 
Little by little her flesh fades 
From the weight of maternity. 
Soon her spirit shrivels 
In flaming jealousy, 
For other maidens give her lord 
The fatal joy she lost \>y him. 




God's Heroes 

Woman has two masters, 
Woman is never free; 
Little by little, age or grief 
Will take her to her other lord, 
Stern death. He will clasp her 
In arms of crushing bone; 
His eyes are dim, his lips are cold, 
And his couch is the mouldy grave. 
Woman has two masters, 
Woman is never free; 
For if her first lord so desires 
In Paradise she is his wife; 
* But if him she displeased, 
Her ghost wanders in Hell ; 
The djynns, the ravens of the soul, 
Hover around her in her plight. 
Woman has two masters, 
Woman is never free. 

IyAILA 

(moaning) 
Ah ! verily, in these words do I see my life: I am an 
abandoned wife, I am nearing death. My poor 
little one may grow up to meet the same fate. Woe 
unto woman, for she is the slave of man, and man 
is ruled by his changing passions ! 

Daia 
It is not your place to misjudge your lord. He has 
done that which is legal and pure in the sight of 
men. Rather turn your eyes upon yourself and 
attend to the safety of your own soul. 



Laila 



Ah, how? 




Act II Oriental Living-Room 

Dai a 
I know of an enchantment that can perhaps give you 
rest. I willtry. I^et me have all your ornaments 
of gold. I shall put them into the boiling drug. 
( Detaches ornaments from the dying woman, reciting 
incantation.) Gold can gilt the imps of darkness 
to a better hue . . . 

Fatima 
{approaching, interrupts Daia's incantation.) 
Cease these idle words, and leave Laila in peace! 

Daia 
My words are holy words learned from the lips of a 
dervish wise in the art of enchantment, and through 
this knowledge I am trying to safeguard the soul of 
this woman from a fatal destiny and from the evil 
spirits which have pervaded this house since the 
impious act of murder instigated by Qurratu'l-'Ain. 

(Fatima kneels beside Laila. Daia goes to 
the back of the room where she prepares a strange 
mixture in a large pewter bowl, but is careful to 
conceal the gold ornaments in her garment in- 
stead of putting them into the drug. ) 

Laila 
What hope is there for me in the after world now 
that my husband has put me aside for his newly 
betrothed? If I cannot keep him here, why should 
he claim me there? {Looking hopefully toward 
Daia.) Perhaps she can help me to escape from 
Hell. 



31 



/■• 



l?:M 




God's Heroes 

Fatima 

Heed not the foolish m titterings of this old nurse. 
Hell and Paradise are not places, but states of your 
own soul. Akbar is not master of your soul, 
L,aila ; it is free from his power and obeys your 
own desire. You must desire all that is noble 
and beautiful and it will be yours, for creation is 
an endless bounty. 

IyAILA 

I hear too late your words of hope and consolation. 

Fatima 
The only thing that can render you powerless is 
despair in the might of Allah. Despair not in the 
might of Allah, gentle child. 

IyAIIA 

But everything is hidden from me. I stand alone in 
a barren wilderness of ignorance. My mind is 
weak and untrained. I hardly know what it is I 
seek. I merely want to be happy ! 

Fatima 
This desire for happiness is a sign of immortality. 

Laila 
Is no one ever content in this world? 

Fatima 
Everything on earth attains to its fullness, except 
man: he who is the greatest work of nature is 
incomplete, unless there is an hereafter in which he 
can develop to his full capacity; nothing but this, 
could satisfy his restless desires. 




/Sif? 



Act II Oriental Living-Room 

Laila 

Is this divine restlessness in the hearts of all? 

Fatima 
Yes, for even a saint continues to yearn for a closer 
communion with the Divine Beloved; and the sinner 
is unconsciously seeking this same Divine Beloved. 

I/AII^A 

But can he find Him on the road of sin? 

Fatima 
No, he will learn bitterly that his ideal is not in the 
earthy path in which he grovels, and he will seek 
on and on till he finally discovers the secret road. 
So you see that in reality all humanity is seeking 
the Divine Beloved. Union with this Desired One 
can alone bring happiness. 

IyAILA 

Ah! I begin to understand— I begin to understand. 

Fati ma 
Truth cannot remain hidden, and that which you 
know not now, you will learn hereafter, for devel- 
opment continues in the worlds of the spirit. No soul 
remains in one condition. Not to advance is to go 
backward. But the willing soul's progress is end- 
less. 

IyAILA 

The horizon becomes vaster as we ascend. 



33 



God's Heroes 

Fat i ma 
Yes, spiritual activity is the very reason of existence. 
Now rest in peace, sweet child, for your awaken- 
ing is at hand ; your purity and your suffering 
will attract to you much that is priceless. 

IyAILA 

Your words have soothed me, your words have 
helped me ! 

(L/Aii^A sleeps. Daia approaches with pewter 
bowl, drops in a red hot coal, great blue flames 
spri?ig up. ) 

Fatima 
Extinguish that flickering flame. It will disturb the 
slumberer. 

Daia 

It is a wonderful flame, full of magical influence, and 
will chase away the spirits of darkness. In the 
name of the Prophet, I command . . . 

Fatima 
Cease ! and know that such charms spring only from 
the imaginations of people brainsick or impos- 
tors ! They are foolish superstitions that have 
nothing in common with the teachings of the 
Prophet. Turn from these useless fancies to the 
truths of your own religion. If you will not accept 
anything new, at least remain faithful to the veri- 
ties of the past. 

( Bashir carries away the flaming bowl trying 
to extinguish it. Daia rushes after him . Just then 
Qttrratu'i,- 'Ain enters and restrains her from 
snatching the bowl. Data goes out, muttering.) 



.r— * 



A 



Act II Oriental Living-Room 

Da i a 
Ah ! I am defiled by the touch of an infidel ! I am 
defiled. . . . 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
She is wilfully ignorant ; like a bat, the unseeing flees 
from the light of dawn. 

Fatima 
Have you no news of our master, the Bab? I am so 
fearful. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

No. Your newly found faith gives you the anxiety of 
a little child. 

Fatima 

I feel the storm is soon to burst, and the highest trees 
will suffer the greatest danger. Oh ! Qurratu'l-'Ain, 
since the murder of Taqi your life is not safe. 



Sh- 



QURRATTj'lv-'AlN 

! Since I accepted the Bab's message in Kar- 



bala I have held myself prepared to give my life 
for the Cause. The disciple follows his master. 
The Bab, who maintains such a claim, against so 
many thousands of powerful men, knows that his 
days are in danger, and yet stands willingly in that 
position, so that all men may see more clearly 
their duty and his reality. 

Fatima 
But is this total sacrifice necessary ? absolutely 
necessary? , 



35 



f 









God's Heroes 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
The seed must sacrifice itself in the ground, so that 
the tree may spring from it. The personal life of a 
Prophet must end, so that his teachings may endure; 
therefore, sister mine, even though we hear that 
our master is slain, we must not waver. Know that 
the power of God cannot be overcome by man, and 
that the Bab, although dead, will live on in his 
teachings. Then, too, he has prepared us to expect 
another Manifestation even greater than himself ! 

Fatima 
But will he not come many years after us? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Be not certain of this, for the Bab has told us to be 
watchful, and a few of the older friends find won- 
drous signs of greatness in Baha'u'llah who lives 
in Tihran. 

{During this talk, Bashir has gone into the 
garden to fill a jug of water. He returns with a 
large silk handkerchief filled with roses. He 
hands it to Qurratu'l-'Ain, who, untying it, finds 
a little pink ?iote in the midst of the many roses 
which fall over her lap to the floor. She unfolds 
and reads the note.) 

Bashir 
Mulla 'Ali awaits the answer in the garden. 

Qurr*atu'l-'Ain 
Our uncle wishes to see me at once and alone, for he 
bears an important message. 



I/AILA 



Ah! Qurratu'l-'Ain 



n 



Act II Oriental Living-Room 

QURRATU'L-'AIN 

Go to him, Fatima, and hear what he has to say. 
I will join you as soon as I^aila is calmed. 

L,AII<A 

Ah! Qurratu'l-'Ain, I feel death's cold breath upon 
me. Take me into your warm arms. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Fear not, fair Laila ; to you death comes as a deliv- 
erer, and through it you will enter the freer exist- 
ence. 

IvAILA 

Verily, I have nothing to live for, my life is broken; 
but my babe, my poor little one, must she live on? 
Must she remain behind to endure what I have 
endured? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Be at rest, I/aila. When your daughter is grown, 
the lot of the Eastern woman will have begun to 
change. Soon she will be as free as the freest of her 
Western sisters, for the Bab demands the emanci- 
pation of woman all over the world, and the word 
of God must have effect ! 

IyAILA 

But shall I be conscious of the life left behind ? 

QURRATU'L-'AIN 

We have a clear knowledge of all states beneath us. 
We lose nothing unless it is our wish to lose it, 
and as we advance in understanding our vision 
broadens. An atom is a world in itself : understand 
but one thing well, and it will become the key 
opening the treasure house of mysteries. 



God's Heroes 

IvAILA 

Hold me closer, Qurratu'l-'Ain. Ah! my eyes burn 
like coals on fire ! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Rest, L,aila. I am near you and we shall never be 
parted. 

IyAILA 

Hold me closer, closer to your beating heart. My 
heart is stopping .... it tightens .... Hold me 
closer to your living heart ! . . . . 

(During this time QurraTu'l-'Ain tends her. 
She expires. Qurratu'l-'Ain kisses her gently. ) 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Tender flower snapped by a blow in the full freshness 
of life ! Ah ! Infinite Spirit of freedom and of might, 
hasten the hour of the world's deliverance from the 
slavery of ignorance and vice ! 

(Daia peeps ifi and sees Laila dead. She 
raises a shrill call, and women rush in.) 

Daia 
Women! Women! Come hither. Laila is dead! 
Help me to bear her away from this place full of 
evil spirits, into yonder purer room. 

(BASniR.goes to restrain them, but Qurratu'l- 
'Ain stops him). 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Let her do as she will, for resistance now is unavail- 
ing. L,aila's soul is freed from the body ; let 
them take the body away. 




38 



Oriental Living-Room 



Scene II. 



QuRRATu'irf-'AiN. Fatima. Later 'Ai,i. 

Fat ima 

(returning from the garden) 
Ah ! yonder wailing tells me that the women are 
lamenting over I^aila's death. 

Qurratu'it-'A IN 

She glided peacefully into her new existence, for 
a ray of understanding had awakened her soul. 
What news do you bring from 'Ali ? 

Fatima 
The Bab is still held captive in the fortress of Maku, 
and it is feared that his confinement will become 
even stricter, and that soon we shall be unable to 
communicate with him. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Our enemies are incensed : they see that this 
imprisonment has not chilled the ardour of his 
followers. 

Fatima 
Indeed, 'Ali says that many doctors of divinity have 
joined the Cause, thereby embittering the others 
who have sworn to kill all those openly professing 
our belief. Then he brings you a message from 
Tihran. We are alone, so let me wave to him to 
come to us. 

( Waves near the long window opening into 
the garden. 'Au enters.) 



39 



y 




n 



-A 






God's Heroes 

'Ali 
Noblest of women. To-night you must escape from 
here to herald abroad the glad tidings of the Cause. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Your face signifies that your words are not spoken in 
jest. I am bewildered, for you know I am held a 
prisoner in my father's home. Why, and whither 
should I flee ? 

'Ali 

Hadi arrived at noon, sent by Baha'u'llah with orders 
to escort you to his house in Tihran. Baha'u'llah 
considers it unsafe that you should remain here, and 
you have a great work to perform, far from Qaswin ! 
The principal Babi teachers are to meet in the 
Mazandaran— you must be among their number, 
and with your indomitable spirit help this great 
council. When dusk veils the sight of men, go 
hence to the city wall where Hadi will await you 
with horses. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

But my home claims me too. 

Fatima 
For the Cause, you must go, Qurratu'l-'Ain! If you 
stay here, any day you may be sentenced to death. 
I will remain behind to carry out what you leave 
unfinished. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

{addressing Fatima lovingly) 
There are two kinds of lives : one is brilliant and 
evident; the other is hidden from fame, but is not 
less worthy before the True Seer. 

( kisses her sister. Voices are heard. ) 



Act II Oriental Living-Room 

( withdrawing} 

I will see that the garden gate be left open for an 
hour after dusk. Go then, when you can. 



Scene III 

The same. Enter 'Abdu'Iv-Wahab 
Qurratu'Iv-'Ain's two Children. 



and 



Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Ah, my little darlings, you bring brightness into the 
day with your smiling faces. Welcome, brother, 
are you well ? 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

Well, but sad; always very sad. We feel deeply the 
disgrace you have brought upon us, and we con- 
tinue to beseech you to return to your ancient faith. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Can a man return to childhood ? The past and the 
present are different stages of one development. 
We love the past but can we return to it ? 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

g Can we overthrow the religion of our forefathers for 
the presumptuous claim of a young imposter ? 




41 



:.' 







God's Heroes 

QlJRRATU ' L, - ' A IN 

We do not wish to overthrow the religion of our 
forefathers ; we desire to purify and to re-establish 
it in a vaster form. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

Vaster form ! Think of our mosques full of worship- 
pers, think of the power and dignity of our priest- 
hood; compared with the scanty group of Babis who 
have not even a house of worship. Do you expect 
wise men to listen to your folly ? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Wise men know that the ancient tree will gradually 
decay and die, and that the small seed will develop, 
from a fresh shoot into a sapling, and in time 
become a mighty tree. 

Fat ima 
{from near the zuindozv) 

At the appearance of an universal Prophet we see the 
end and the beginning, the completion of the old 
and the point of departure for the new. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 
{to Qurratu'l-'Ain) 

You are held strangely firm in your belief, but so 
am I ; and one of us must be in the wrong. 






Act II Oriental Living-Room 

QURRATU'L-'AlN 

Not necessarily ; you perceive a glimmer of truth, 
but the Bab unveils a spacious glory ! 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

Do not play with words, Qurratu'l-'Ain, you are in 
the wrong. I beseech you to understand it and 
to free us all from this shame and impending 
danger. All things call you to us — comfort, fame 
affection, custom . 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
But my sincerety bars the way. 

'Abdu'l-Wahab 

You will repent when it is too late. {Exit) 

(The Children who have been at the back of 
the scene playing with a falcon now run towards 
their mother. ) 

Children 

Mother, mother, tell us a story before auntie takes 
us away to play. 




Qurratu'l-'Ain 

What kind of tale, my darlings, will charm your 
little hearts ? 



Tell us about 



Children 

. Well, anything you like. 









Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Anything I like, well, .... In a country not far 
distant, there was a great and mighty city crowded 
with mosques, palaces, houses, bazaars, and hovels 
for the poor. Now, in the beginning, the city was 
not built like this, for then it had no hovels and 
had few palaces, and gardens were around each 
house. In those days the poorest home was full of 
sunshine and fresh air, but gradually the streets 
were narrowed and the most needy people lost their 
gardens, and even the palaces and the mosques 
became dingy, for their increasing number blocked 
out one another's light. Both luxury and poverty 
had become a powerful curse; the inhabitants sick- 
ened, many strange maladies appeared, and a doc- 
tor sufficiently skilled could not be found. In this 
city there lived a slender youth, strong of frame 
and of mind. 

Child 

What was he called ? 

QURRATU'lv-'AlN 

His name was Sacrifice. Sacrifice was deeply pained 
by this state of affairs, and sought for the evil 
and for its cure. Soon he understood that through 
careless mismanagement the growing city had con- 
tracted upon itself instead of expanding over new 
lands, so the present narrow and unwholesome con- 
dition was the natural result of an unnatural state. 
The city would have to be remodelled and enlarged 
to suit the present need, and then the inhabitants 
would again become well and happy. All this he 
told to his fellow citizens. 



44 



/ 



m 



m 



'./T 




Act II Oriental Living-Room 

Child 
How happy they must have been ! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
No, for through ignorance or through personal in- 
terest they laughed him to scorn, for they were used 
to their homes and knew not what real health meant. 
But Sacrifice disregarded their jeers, and began to 
rebuild the city wherever it was most corrupt. 
This independence infuriated the others, and only a 
small number of people understood the wisdom of 
his motive and acts. These people followed his 
example and his instructions. Among them was a 
mother who realized that all the little ones would 
grow up to be sickly and miserable if the crumbling 
city was not rebuilt; so she too became an ardent 
worker. Now the scandal was great to see a wo- 
man labouring with men, and calling to others to 
join in the work of duty and love. Still she heeded 
not those who condemned her, for her heart was 
the heart of a mother and her strength was in the 
thought that all the little ones would be able to 
grow up into a happier life. Curses fell upon her 
ears like encouragements; she worked harder and 
harder, faster and faster. Through the veil of the 
present she saw a glorious future city, where space 
was endless, and beauty, freedom, and health, uni- 
versal. There the wise were more wise, and the 
little ones had become big and strong .... 

(Qurratu'^-'Ain is deeply moved and Fa- 
tima leads the children away after Qurratu'l- 
' Ain has kissed them long and tenderly. ) 






II 








God's Heroes 

Fatima 
Come, my darlings, come away. 

Children 

Why does mother weep? {exeunt). 

(Qurratu'l-'Ain advances toivards the gar- 
den window, looks out into the gathering gloom. 
She wraps around herself a chadar, the long flow- 
ing outer garment worn by all Persian women, 
stops a moment on the threshold, and then dis- 
appears from sight. ) 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Twilight comes. Afar into the shadow of the night's 
black darkness, I see light. Onward! Outward! 
( Wailing of the women is again heard as she 
disappers into the garden.} 



CURTAIN. 



46 




48 



Mi 






ACT III 

BADASHT 

Scene — A group of men are seated in a meadow 
under the shade of a large tree; they are finishing 
their -mid-day meal. To one side, and a little in 
the background, is a tent with closed curtains . 

Scene I 

Wau, Amin, Hadi, 'Au, and other Babis. 

Wali 
This sherbet is fresh to my parched throat. I seem 
to have swallowed the whole desert on my way 

here. 

Amin 
{delighted at an excuse to drink more) 

In the name of Allah do I assist you to quench your 

thirst. 

Hadi 

You have indeed brought us news of great import. 
So now, our beloved master, the Bab, has been 
transferred to a more inaccessible prison, and all 
communication is forbidden between him and us. 

Wali 
Each time we desired a message to reach the Bab, we 
had to try some new subterfuge. One time we 
would put a tiny note into an empty walnut shell 
and, placing it among other walnuts, bribe the 
guard to pass them to him in his cell. Again, 
would we wrap a letter in impermeable stuff, 
weight it, and drop it into a bowl of milk. 




49 




u> 



God's Heroes 

Hadi 

Everything can be borne but this separation ! It is 
unworthy in us to stand by and see our master 
treated thus. We must march to his prison and 
demand his release. 



Verily, it is our duty. 



Wali 



'Ali 



If we carry out this undertaking in peace, it is well 
advised. 

Hadi 

Then, this very day when all are gathered together, 
we must organize our campaign of deliverance and 
love. 

Wali 

Now tell me of the happenings here, at Badasht; it has 
become a center, a meeting place for all true Babis. 

Hadi 

Yes, before the surging difficulties, together we dis- 
cuss how best to spread the Cause. 



^ 



T~if 



U 



n'y. 



'Ali 

And the teachings of the Bab are being expounded 
by Baha'u'llah. What was obscure, becomes clear, 
through his words ; what was hidden and cramped 
in our minds, he unfurls through the broadness of 
his understanding. 



^ 




m 
m 






^^ 






Wali 
Verily, that is no news. As it was, so it continues. 

Amin 

You have asked nothing of Qurratu'l-'Ain. She is 
our heart of flame, though a woman veiled, who 
sits apart in our gatherings. 

'Aw 

Yes, from behind the curtain of her seclusion her 
virile eloquence incites us on to forceful deeds. 

Wali 

Truly, I am anxious to hear of this wondrous woman. 
How did she escape from Qaswin? I have not heard 
the correct version of her flight, for some say that 
she wandered in the forest of Mazandaran, and 
finally arrived at Tihran, others that she went 
there directly. 

Amin 
Baha'u'llah sent Hadi to bring her to Tihran. 

Had i 

Yes, I can give you the real account, for we escaped 
together from her native town. 



Walj 



Do relate it. 





Had i 
At nightfall I watched for her outside the city wall. 
The hour that followed crept slowly past. All 
sounds made my strung nerves quiver in anticipa- 
tion. The waiting horses stamping their impatient 
feet, seemed to make the whole city resound, and 
every moment I feared that a sentinel might see me 
there before my charge had come. Suddenly, a 
rope was dropped from the wall, and quicker than 
hope, Qurratu'l-'Ain glided to earth. Her eyes 
flashed strangely, and her voice was deeply stirred. 
"On, On!" she said, "our work is ahead!" So 
great was her intent, that our cautious advance 
seemed to chafe her swift spirit ! 

Wali 

As a mighty bird, when the cage is shattered, desires 
to soar aloft ! 

Hadi 

When we had reached the open road our horses 
started into a rapid gallop; our emotion urged 
them on. She spoke little during the whole journey 
to Tihran, where, when I had seen her safe into 
Baha'u'llah's house, my mission ended. Yet, I now 
feel sure that on this earth she cannot find safety. 
She is too prone to face danger and to court hard- 
ship. 

'Aw 

You speak truly; like all noble hearts, hers finds no 
rest when others are in torment and sorrow. Our 
salvation is to bring about the salvation of others. 
This is why we are commanded to help all men — 
the friend, the stranger, the believer, and the infidel. 



Act III Meadows, Trees and Tent 

A Babi 
Still the stranger must remain the stranger, and the 
infidel the infidel, until they accept our religion 
and follow its law. 

'Ali 
It is only through love and kindness that the stranger 
becomes the friend. 

A Babi 

The Quran reads otherwise. 

'Ali 
The Quran addressed a wilder people who knew not 
the power of gentleness, for they had not been 
touched by the teachings of the Nazarine; but now 
the whole world is prepared to rightly appreciate 
the rule of love. 

Amin 
Still the Book of Muhammad will always be our 
guide. 

'Ali 
Must not each Prophet bring his special message? 

A Babi 
If you were not so holy, I would deem you sacri- 
legious. 

'Ali 
Why? Because I suggest that the Infinite Essence— 
God, has more than one word and one expression? 




Am in 
{restless and sleepy} 
The hour of mid-day slumber is shrivelling into noth- 
ingness, through your prolonged discussion. I^et 
us go to rest and later meet again with refreshed 
spirits. Come, friends, sleep gives fair counsel. 
{The men zvithdraiv, 'Ali and Amin walk to 
the right. Bashir, dusty and travel-worn, comes 
on the scene.} 

Scene II 

'Au, Amin, Bashir. Later Hand-maiden ana 
QurraTu'i,- 'Ain. 

'Ali 
Is it really you, Bashir ? 

Amin 
My amazement finds no expression ! 

Bashir 
I have attained at last my desire, for I am again near 
my mistress. 

Amin 
How did you come ? 

Bashir 
When Nasir, whose carelessness permitted Qurratu'l- 
'Ain to flee, was turned out by Mulla Muhammad, 
I begged her kind father to let me depart too. 
Together we journeyed to Tihran. There, Nasir 
fell into evil ways. I worked to get money for my 
journey hither ; my progress was slow and months 
have passed since I left Qaswin. 












Meadows, Trees and Tent 



'Ali 



Your faithfulness is rewarded, for there is Qurratu'l- 
'Ain's tent. 

Bashir 

I have seen Qurratu'l-'Ain grow up from babyhood, 
and with years my love for her has increased in my 
heart. Ah! it was hard to be separated from her! 

Am in 
I, too, have known her long, and I love her well, but 
now I tremble at her undertaking, and fear her 
intrepid zeal and independent mind. 

'Ali 
Yes, I have seen her in the hour of danger, when 
courage envelopes her as flames a fluttering gauze. 

Am in 

Now I shall leave so you may approach her. 

( ' Ali c laps his hands; a maiden soon raises the 
curiam of the tent, disappears quickly to give the 
news of 'Bashir' s < coming. Then Qurratu'l-'Ain 
comes out. Bashir falls at her feet, weeping. ) 

Bashir 

Mistress, mistress, again I see your lovely face. I 
am old, and I was fearful that the grief of separa- 
tion would kill me before I had attained the joy 
of meeting. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Faithful Bashir, did you come all that way alone and 
on foot? 








V 



God's Heroes 

Bashir 
The road was hard, but now that I have seen you I 
am at rest. I bear you tidings from home. Your 
noble sister is fervent and her virtues are attracting 
many to the Cause. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
And my little sons? . . . My father and brother? 

Bashir 
All are well, but saddened by your flight. Fatima is 
devoted to your children and cherishes them like 
her own, but their father, by his fanaticism, 
destroys her influence. 

'Ali 
He will never forgive you for disregarding public 
opinion. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

My poor little ones ! How I should love to bring you 
up with tender love and wise care! How, when 
weary, it would rest me, just for a moment, to lay 
my head against your fresh young faces— just for a 
moment ! I should gain power from your inno- 
cence and weakness. But I must pass through life 
a mother without her children, a woman without 
her home, so that future families may become 
united in broader understanding. 

'Ali 
Yes, Qurratu'l-'Ain, you have broken the chain of 
custom, and set women free. 



Act III Meadows, Trees and Tent 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

{to handmaiden) 

Take Bashir to rest. 

{As Bashir goes away, Qurratu'l-'Ain 
addresses him.) 

Your faithfulness has brought me fortitude and 
your beautiful action gives me courage. 
{turning to 'Au) 
Have you seen Baha'u'llah since last evening ? 

'Ali 
Yes, and he assures us that it is here, at Badasht, that 
the Cause is to be fully disclosed. 

Qu rratu ' i,- ' A IN 

Welcome tidings ! Then all the Babis will be forced 
to realize that not only must superstition be dis- 
lodged from the minds of the people, but that their 
ideas and customs must be regenerated. The 
advent of a Prophet is the Day of Judgment and of 
Resurrection ! 

'Ali 

True; yet I fear that they will be bewildered when they 
understand that the Quran is no longer their only 
law, that priesthood is set aside, dogma and ritual 
abolished, woman liberated .... 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
It is better for them to know all; understanding is the 
only foundation of unwavering love. Why, if they 
cannot accept even the full message of the Bab, how 
will they ever grow up to comprehend the fuller 
teachings of Baha'u'llah? 



57 






Yes, you are right; we must prepare them without 
delay, for only the very few who have been asso- 
ciated intimately with Baha'u'llah understand the 
true meaning and outcome of Babism. 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 
What a privilege it is to listen to Baha'u'llah's 
wisdom! Yesterday, when I was in his presence 
with Quddus, he foretold the time when earnest, 
unselfish effort in art, science or trade would be 
man's great form of worship ; how then, civilization 
and education would be directed and promoted 
universally by Houses of Justice. 

'Aw 
But, what are these Houses of Justice ? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Assemblies of the Faithful, to be elected from time to 
time by the people. Their mission will be to 
spread the knowledge and the justice of God. 

'Ali 
How will these Houses of Justice function? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
As local and as national councils ; and there will be 
an universal one arbitrating between nations. 
Then, where will be poverty, ignorance and war ? 
Men and countries will be as one through the 
power of brotherhood and science, and the renewed 
religion will transform the face of the globe. 









V>X il 



yX 



' ~,r-V 



t 



J 



m 



v\i2\ 



A. 

M 



"T 






At last the desire of Zoroaster, of Buddha, of Christ, 
and of all the Prophets will be fulfilled, for they 
looked forward to the time when their teachings 
should finally result in one great Brotherhood ! 

Qurratu'd-'Ain 
But not before the advent of this universal religion 
could it come to pass, for the Jew, the Buddhist, 
the Christian, the Muhammadan, and the Agnostic 
will not agree until they find the renunciation of 
Buddha, the sagacity of Moses, the love of Christ, 
the power of Muhammad, and the exactitude of 
Science, united in one vast whole— vast enough to 
satisfy all mentalities— vast enough to meet all 
conditions— vast enough to truly civilize mankind. 

'Ali 
I see Quddus leaving Baha'u'llah's tent : he is coming 
towards us. 

QURR ATU ' i/- ' Ain 
We will consult with him concerning the opportune 
time for disclosing /the radical nature of the Bab's 
mission. 

Scene III 

The same and Quddus. 

Quddus 
Greetings to you, noble servants of a mighty Cause ! 

'Aw 
Peace be upon you, most honoured of disciples ! 








w>4 




(r^ol ^ 


W^i <4^V^^(^1(^l4 uiv-^iC^MfTi^^ (Jw 






God's Heroes 






Qurratu'l-'Ain 


v^U 




We are wondering if the moment of deeper initiation 






is now at hand. 


w 




QUDDUS 




Yes, even tonight, Baha'u'llah will speak to us about 




YM 


this important matter. 


\jy 


1 


QURR ATU ' L- ' A I N 
Shall we go to him, or will he come to us here ? 

QUDDUS 

He has not decided. Circumstance will designate 




51 


the place. 

'Aw 






I will go to the men and continue to prepare them 


vS, 




for the great awakening. They are like a lover so 






blinded by passion that he sees a fanciful creation 






instead of the true beauty of his beloved. 






{Exit 'A14.) 


X^<jC^vm 




QUDDUS 






Qurratu'l-'Ain, the decisive moment is at hand. 






As soon as the followers understand the real char- 






acter of the Cause, a period of chaos will follow. 


k < 'Avy 




Some will turn back and become our enemies, 


SF?N 




condemning our broad views; others will grasp the 






fuller teachings with eagerness ; but this meeting 






at Badasht will be broken and consumed, and out 






of the ashes a Phoenix will arise ! 


)M^\ 


V^ xA ^^^^^--y^Ov Vs^-^Ctrvi^-byi^ />-^r-~^^c~~^ ! ^ /t^^^^^x 



Act III 



Meadows, Trees and Tent 



Qurratu'l-'Ain 

These days of happy comradeship have matured our 
hearts and our minds, Quddus; should destiny lead 
us apart, we shall yet not be separated. Your 
radiant spirit will always be with me, and I shall ever 
feel your presence. 

Quddus 

To me you will appear in the fragrance of flowers, in 
the brightness of days, in the mystery of nights, 
and in the fervour of my aspirations. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
These hours of meeting have been all joy to me ; but, 
for us, love is above all separation. 

Quddus 
The void made in my life by this parting will speak 
to me with the voice of remembrance. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Our friendship is without stain. Our spirits can soar 
over all obstacles, and meet like two white eagles 
in flight, high above earth and clouds. 

Quddus 
You enforce my courage, you help me to serve men 
better. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

By looking through each other's eyes we have beheld 
the vision of a nobler beauty. 

Quddus 
Ah, may all humanity become as one great loving 
heart ! 



61 



JUL. 




m 



God's Heroes 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Voices are approaching. Fare thee well my valiant 
spirit ! Now, make ready the hour of proclamation. 

QUDDUS 

I go, but I am never parted from you. Nothing can 
come between us ; not distance, time, or the grave. 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 
No, nothing can ever come between us. {Exit 
Quddus.) Infinite, all-pervading power which we 
call God, come now to our assistance, let us be 
channels for your Truth, and grant all men accept- 
ance of the whole message from our lips, for the 
Day of Judgment is at hand, it reigns in the heart 
of each man, and every man must choose for him- 
self ; either he must press on with the movement of 
progress, or be pushed aside by its onsweeping 

power. 

{She retires into her tent.) 

Scene IV 

Enter 'Au, Hadi, Amin, Waw, Babis, re- 
turning from their siesta. Later Bashir and 
Qurratu ' i,- ' Ain . 

'Ali 
Religion, like all other things, must change. What 
was once fitting is so no longer. Polygamy, 
slavery, war were permitted in the past, but now, 
now can we righteously practice them? Sacrifices 
were acceptable, now they are of another kind. 



yo 






Meadows, Trees and Tent 



\)Q! 



i^i 



Of what kind ? 



A Babi 



'Ali 



They are now spiritual. Today we have to see the 
inner meaning of the symbol. We have to put the 
form aside, so that the living Verity may manifest 
itself anew in a wider world of expression, and guide 
men onward to a broader understanding of the In- 
finite. 

A Babi 

Your assertion is sweeping and sacrilegious, for at all 
events the law of Muhammad must endure for ever. 

Wali 
The outer form must pass away ; but the inner law is 
eternal and is the spirit of all religions. 

'Ali 
The time of transformation has come, and through the 
appearance of the Bab we are entering the Day of 
Judgment — the Day of Resurrection. 

Amin 
Are you quite sure ? The trumpet has not sounded. 

A Babi 
There are no signs visible. 

'Ali 
They are inward and invisible. The outward signs 
recorded in the Holy Books are symbols ; to in- 
terpret them literally would be useless and im- 
possible. 



N 




^ 




God's Heroes 



Hadi 



The end of the old world of dogma has come with the 
dawning of this faith. 

(Bashir, who had gone in the direction of ■ 
Baha'u'IvIvAh's tent, now returns to deliver the 
following message to Qurratu'Iv-'Ain, who is 
standing near the opening of her tent listening at- 
tentively to the men's discussion.) 

Bashir 
Baha'u'llah is not well and says that you are to come 
to him for the meeting. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
I shall go to him at once. 

{continues listening') 

'Aw 

Soon we shall leave Badasht : let us leave it filled 
with the Gospel of life ! Let our lives show what we, 
sincere Muhammadans, have become through our 
acceptance of the Bab, the Mahdi, who has awakened 
us to the esoteric meaning of the Resurrection Day. 
Let us fill the souls of men with the glory of the 
revealed word. Let us advance with arms ex- 
tended to the stranger. Let us emancipate our 
women, reform our society. Let us arise out of 
our graves of superstition and of self, and pro- 
nounce that the Day of Judgment is at hand ; 
then shall the whole earth respond to the quicken- 
ing power of regeneration ! 



Meadows, Trees and Tent 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

( deeply moved and half to herself} 

feel impelled to help unveil the Truth to these men 
assembled. If my act be good the result will be 
good : if bad, may it affect me alone ! {Advances 
majestically with face unveiled, a?id as she walks to- 
wards Baha'u'llah's tent, addresses the men.} That 
sound of the trumpet which ushers in the Day of 
Judgment is my call to you now! Rise, brothers! 
The Quran is completed, the new era has begun. 
Know me as your sister, and let all barriers of the 
past fall down before our advancing steps. We 
teach freedom, action, and love. That sound of 
the trumpet, it is I ! that blast of the trumpet, it is I ! 
{Exit QurraTu'iXAin.) 



A Babi 
Shame, that a naked-faced woman dares to appear in 
our midst, and to speak such words! 

Amin 

{to 'Au) 
Hasten to Baha'u'llah to receive his condemnation of 
this unheard of act ! She will wreck the Cause. 

A Babi 
Woe to us that we have been led to this— to hear such 
words, and to see such a spectacle! 

Amin 
Free thought has brought forth this uncontrolled 








A Babi 
Shame upon us to have esteemed this woman ! She 
is evil. Has she not repudiated the Quran? Has 
she not cast aside the sacred veil, and violated 
purity by claiming that men and women must 
mingle together freely like brothers and sisters? 

Amin 
What conduct ! What conduct ! 

A Babi 
What blasphemy, to say that her voice is the sum- 
mons of the trumpet ushering in the Day of Judg- 
ment ! 

('Ali returns breathless with haste, in his 
hand an open Quran.) 

'Au 
Baha'u'llah's answer is to read the sura describing 
the Day of Judgment. 

A Babi 
Then he upholds her in her shame and blasphemy? 

'Aw 

{reads, sometimes his voice is drowned by the 
turmoil: some of the men go away, one kills 
himself, others appear triumphantly happy.) 

"When the day that must come, shall have come 
suddenly ..." 

Amin 
Where shall we go, to whom shall we turn? 








Meadows, Trees and Tent 



A Babi 
Accursed be Badasht— scene of disgrace and degra- 



"Ah, how happy shall be the people of the right 
hand ! And the people of the left hand ; oh ! how 
wretched shall be the people of the left hand!" 



CURTAIN. 





68 








./** 







ACT IV 



TIHRAN 



HALL OF FESTIVITIES 

IN 

THE KALANTAR'S HOUSE 




"^v" .-ft'- 








69 




70 






V^V 





Scene — A spacious hall in the Kalantar's 
house. Qurratu'i,-'Ain is seated near the foun- 
tain writing. She stops to read aloud what she has 
just composed. Before she finishes, Husain enters. 

Scene I 

QurraTu'i<-'Ain, Husain, and later Ruhangis. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
{reading) 
"To convene the guests to his feast of love all night 
from the angel host above, 
Peals forth this summons ineffable : 'Hail, sorrow- 
stricken community ' ! " 

Husain 
I came to see my sister. May I remain and speak 
with you? 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 

Most certainly, noble youth. 

Husain 
For many months past, ever since my return to 
Tihran, I have been seeking an opportunity of 
talking to you alone and freely. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
You have ? 

Husain 

Of a truth. Your captivity in my father's house has 
aggravated this desire ; but how could I break 
through the network of custom and vigilance, not 
knowing if you would permit me to approach you? 








71 



■ ■ - 




Jjjfc 


God's Heroes 

QURRATU'lv-'AlN 


, ' x ' V 


s So you are my friend ! 



,/»k 








HUSAIN 

Ah! since our first and only meeting at Qaswin, 
constant thoughts of you have filled my memory 
and all slander I have heard about you has left no 
trace upon my mind. 

Qurratu'i/-'Ain 
Your good will must be sincere indeed, for many are 
the tales related of me. 

HUSAIN 

To none that I hear will I give credence. Your virtue 
is as evident as the radiance of the sun. Did I not 
see you when you were charged with instigating 
Taqi's death? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Have you never doubted my uprightness? 

Husain 
Never! 

QurraTu 'i<-' Ain 
Not even after the stories told about me at Badasht? 

Husain 
No, never! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

But have you not heard how I am accused of having 
provoked a terrible scene of debauch at Badasht 
by entering a meeting of men unveiled, and of 
having thereby ruined the very Cause I was trying 
to serve? 



72 









1.* i 






Hall of Festivities 




HUSAIN 












f All this has been told me; but I know too, that, after 
that meeting, the leader of your sect upheld you by 
giving you the new name "Tahira," that immacu- 
late name "The Pure." He must have known you 
better than scandal-mongers. 

QURRATU'l^-'AlN 
(meditatively) 
How quickly we were all dispersed after the council 
of Badasht! 

HUSAIN 

What did really happen to Quddus after you left 
there ? 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 
Ah! Quddus! . . . 

HUSAIN 

Was he among the Babis who determined to go 
secretly to release their master ? 

QurraTu' I,- ' Ain 
No. But when he heard that his comrades had been 
treacherously attacked by their escort in the forest, 
and had escaped only by taking refuge in the tomb 
of Shaykh Tabarsi, he went at once to reinforce 
them in their improvised stronghold. 

HUSAIN 

Was that your final parting? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Yes. Our final parting on earth. 



73 















God's Heroes 

HUSAIN 

I have heard how valiantly that handful of men 
resisted the imperial troops for over five months; 
and I have often wondered how they were finally 
overcome. 

QURRATU'L- 'AlN 

Why! do you not know? The commander promised 
them a safe conduct if they would surrender, and 
confirmed his word of honour by vows pledged on 
the Quran. 

HUSAIN 

And they accepted ? 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Yes, hunger was preying on their very bones, no 
resource was left to them, so the soldiers of God 
evacuated their fort, and under the flag of truce 
marched slowly into the enemy's camp. Now hear 
how the commander respected his honour and his 
vows ! On the morrow when they had laid their 
arms aside to partake of food, the troops were 
ordered to fall upon them with sword and knife. 







How cowardly ! 



HUSAIN 

How currish ! 




Qurratu'Iv-Ain 

But the leaders were spared to grace the triumphal 
return of the commander of the imperial troops, 
and the foremost of these was Quddus. When they 
reached the city he was given into the clutches of 
the most important doctor of divinity who tortured 
him with his own hands and finally killed him with 
an axe. The shame of it— the shame of it ! 



74 





I 









Act IV Hall of Festivities 

HUSAIN 
{unth great feeling*) 
Qurratu'l-'Ain! . . . Tahira ! . . . And where were 
you during this cruel massacre? 

QuRRATU'l/-'AlN 

At Nur. After the slaughter of my comrades, eyes 
were turned toward me . . . Was I, too, not danger- 
ous ? Yes, a peril to men, and a shame to woman- 
hood. Accordingly I was brought to Tihran, and 
put into your father's custody, and here— even 
here, I am suspected of continuing my pernicious 
work. 

Husain 
Gossip and slander have no weight in the balance of 
a just mind. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
{smiling) 
Perhaps you, too, are losing your reason through my 
mysterious art. 

Husain 

Your art — I know what that is. You have led me 
from flat indifference to towering desire. You are 
awakening what is best in me. I love you, 
Quarratu'l-'Ain. I love you with all the ardour 
of my heart. (Qurratu'^-'Ain rises to go.) No, 
you will listen, for you are good and will not con- 
demn a sufferer to silence when speaking can ease 
his pain. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

I am not indifferent nor scornful. I know you are 
sincere. But you will have to learn to love me as 
I wish to be loved, and to understand me as I wish 
to be understood. 



75 


















4 * <sS,#' 




God's Heroes 

HUSAIN 

We do not speak each other's language . . . But I 
have something even more important to say to you. 
Since that crazed Babi made an attempt on the life 
of His Majesty, the Shah . . . 

QURR ATU ' J> ' AlN 

What an outrageous act ! How misguided ! 

Husain 
His co-religionists are being sought out, and I fear 
that the time is approaching when the whole 
community will have to pay for the folly of one or 
two of its members. Danger is hovering around 
you like a sinister bird of prey: you must consent 
to flee with me. 

QURRATu'lv- ' AlN 

A web of circumstance holds me here. Besides, 
in this house I am in less danger than elsewhere. 

Husain 
I wish it were so; but alas ! I cannot trust my father, 
for though he thinks you innocent, he has not 
the courage to set you free. He will fail us in the 
moment of need. Come away, Qurratu'l-'Ain. I 
will surround you with every tenderness, and you 
shall have a life of rest in a freer land. 

RUHANGIS 
{enters crying) 

Ah ! Tahira, my heart shivers with fear, and tears 
blind my eyes ; I do not wish to wed Mulla Akbar ! 



76 















Sh- 




Hall of Festivities 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
! Sweet child. Why this sudden grief ? For 
more than three years you have known of your be- 
trothal and have not complained. 

Ruhangis 
Even so; I gave no heed to such a distant time, but 
now that I am of an age to marry, ah! my grief 
is great, I am so full of dread! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Be calm, Ruhangis. We will speak to your brother. 

Ruhangis 

{lifting up her head and seeing Husain) 
But I must not mention my feelings to my elders, it 
is considered shameful. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Come, come, dearie. You have spoken to me and I 
am not thirteen. 

Ruhangis 
You are different, you have no age. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Such barriers should not exist between brothers and 
sisters, children and parents. Do not cry, little 
one, I will speak for you. Why is this marriage 
advisable, Husain ? 

Husain 

Akbar is an important man; it is customary that 
girls marry young; and they cannot choose for 
themselves, therefore their parents select suitable 
husbands for them. 



77 



uf "5 V 















God's Heroes 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Go to my room, Ruhangis. I shall join you in a 
moment. {Exit Ruhangis.) This man is un- 
worthy of any honest woman, Husain, and Ru- 
hangis is only an innocent child. She is too young 
to marry, she does not know what she is doing. 
Marriage without free-will is sinful. Akbar ill- 
treated his former wife, and is prompted now by 
greed and ambition. Oh ! if you can, save this 
little half sister from an assured life of misery. 

Husain 

But you know that an engagement at this stage can- 
not be broken. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Marriage is beautiful when happiness attends it ; it 
is not moral when there is neither love nor esteem. 
Which will you recoil before— the less, or the 
greater evil ? 

Husain 

I will do my best to change the will of my father, 
even though it bring upon us the enmity of 
Akbar; and I shall perhaps succeed, for she is my 
father's darling. But after . . . 

Qurratu'iXAin 

We can speak no further. 

{Exeunt.) 



78 









Hall of Festivities 



Scene II 








( Young girls and women enter and hurry to 
and fro in the large hall. Carpets and cushions 
are thrown upon the floor; long garlands of 
flowers are hung upon the pillars and under the 
suspetided lamps.) 

The Kaeantar's First Wife, the Kai,antar's Second 
Wife, Hand-maidens. 

Second Wife 

{directing the decoration) 
Make haste, maidens, the hour is swiftly passing, 
and soon the guests will arrive. No, put that 
carpet here. L/eave that space for the dancer. 
Yes, all right. Hang the garlands under the 
lights. 

First Wife 

(the possessor of an unfortunate temper which shows clearly 
in her face.) 

Then their beauty will not be seen. 

Second Wife 
It is better to have their freshness and fragrance 
enjoyed than to have them withered by the heat of 
the flames. 

First Wife 
You always think that what you say is right. 

Second Wife 
Otherwise I should not say it. 

First Wife 
Generally you are in the wrong, but that you will 
never admit. 



79 


















God's Heroes 

Second Wife 
I cannot see my failings so quickly as you create 
them in your imagination. (To maid who has come 
to ask her something.) Yes, bring in the cakes. 

First Wife 
What! before the guests have come! They will 
think us foolish and I shall be classed with you as 
a bad manager. I, who am so skilled in the art of 
keeping house! I will not permit it. Slave, do 
not bring the cakes. 

Second Wife 
Your insolent counter-order shall not be heeded. This 
festival is for the betrothal of my daughter and you 
have no right to raise your voice. 

First Wife 
I always have a right to raise my voice, for I am 
the Kalantar's first wife— the real head of the 
house, and you— you are an underling compared 
with me in my regal station. 

Scene III 

( During this discussion the guests have begun 
to arrive. Their chadars are folded in Eastern 
fashion and they advance and salute the wives and 
women present.') 

The same. Guests. Later Ruhangis, Dancer, Blind 
Musicians, and Qurratu'i^-'Ain. 

First Wife 
My heart is made joyous by your presence! 



80 












Act IV Hall of Festivities 

A Guest 
My eyes have become illumined by the sight of your 
face ! 

First Wife 
May my life be your sacrifice ! 

Second Wife 
You grace our humble feast with all the beauty and 
splendour of Paradise ! We are unworthy of such 
an honour. 

A Guest 
And where is the fair betrothed ? 

Second Wife 

She is with Tahira in yonder room, and her maiden 
heart is fluttering like the wings of a hunted bird, 
and her eyes have turned into two springs from 
which tears flow; she is tremulous on the threshold 
of marriage. {Guests are served with tea, sherbets, 
fruits?) 

A Guest 

A most praiseworthy condition, for only bold and bad 
women show their joy at such moments. The 
noblest adornments for a virgin bride are fear and 
grief. 

First Wife 

She should not then be left with Tahira, who always 
tries to calm her weeping. 

A Guest 
Tahira believes, does she not, that a girl should wed 
only with free will and joy ? 



81 



J%. 










2$iXS'-x 










God's Heroes 

First Wife 
Yes, she has unheard of views— many manias. She 
even writes poetry ! 

Second Wife 
Still we have all grown to love her; she is so 
bewitching. 

A Guest 

But she is so bold and unwomanly. She demands 
for us women things we do not want for ourselves. 

Second Wife 
She says that we do not yet know what we do want. 

A Guest 
How impertinent ! 

Second Wife 
Here comes the bride elect ! 

Women 

(from habit and appreciation) 
Bah ! Bah ! Bah ! 

A Guest 
How young she is; how timid! (Ruhangis bursts 
into tears.} 

First Wife 
Most laudable— most laudable. 

Second Wife 
Iyet the music and dancing begin. It will soothe her 

grief. 

(First Wife looks startled when she sees that 
the musicians are men. She draws her veil around 
her and turns with disapproval to the Second 
Wiee, who addresses her impatiently .) 



82 










Hall of Festivities 



Why not; 



Second Wife 
They are blind. 








First Wife 
(scrutinizing them through her drawn veil.) 
Are you quite sure? 

(The dancer sways her supple form, gently as 
the branch waves in the breeze. Her tiny, dark 
feet flutter as quickly as the rustling leaves. The 
music is minor, it is dreary, it is fiery , it expresses 
unworded sensations. The onlookers watch with 
increasing interest as they eat of the luscious fruit 
laid on huge platters before them. The music 
presses faster and faster, the tinkli?ig of the dan- 
cer's anklets becomes louder and louder as she 
whirls more and more quickly, the golden coins in 
her long black braids twinkle brightly. She sways 
on with the panting rythm of the music. The 
women, captivated by the sight and sound, also 
sway to and fro , clapping their hands. Qurratu' z,- 
'Ain has ef/tered quietly and seated herself with a 
small group of women to whom she talks; Ru- 
hangis, tired of the dance, draws near and sits' 
beside her. When the music subsides a little the 
clear voice of Ourratu'i/Ain can be heard ad- 
dressing the women. Gradually others turn from 
the dancer and join Qurratu'i^'Ain's^tw^. 
The dancer also stops and creeps near, but the 
blind musicians continue to play during this 
scene. ) 

Qurratu'e-'Ain 
Then our hero brought up in the land of roses was 
taken to a distant clime where nature itself looks 
like a stony prison. There he was held captive 
many days, many weeks, many months! 



83 









1 







J%. 








God's Heroes 

RUHANGIS 
(who is huddled close to her beloved Qur- 
raTu'i,-'Ain, divining who the hero is, exclaims 
under her breath) 

You speak of the Bab? 

( The other women who are further away do 
not hear, and by a sign to Ruhangis, Qurratu'l- 
'Ain bids her listen quietly.) 

Qurratu'l- ' Ain 

His winsome face and form became livid and frail, 
for his confinement was tedious and severe. Gradu- 
ally he won the hearts of those around him, and 
even from afar men came just to see the light in 
his prison window. One night the lamp was not 
lit. Again the next night the window was dark, 
and the eyes of the Faithful were dim ! Our hero 
had been borne away to die ; the eyes of the Faithful 
filled with tears ! He was led into a large crowded 
place called the "Court of the Lord of the Age." 
He and a favoured disciple were suspended against 
the wall. A battalion of soldiers drew up before 
them; the guns were pointed. Then the disciple 
was heard to say "Master, are you pleased with 
me ? ' ' The answer was lost in the fire of hate which 
gushed from the steel muzzles, and then smoke 
clouded the spot. When it cleared, a marvellous 
thing appeared. The disciple was riddled with 
bullets, but our hero was untouched; only the ropes 
which bound him had been severed, and there he 
stood quietly before the awestricken men ! He might 
then have turned the superstitious mob in his favour 
by advancing towards them and proclaiming chance 
to be a miracle, but he did not ; he wished to 




84 







?ur? 








jnfa 










Act IV Hall of Festivities 

prove that spirit transcends death. The men, when 
they had recovered from their amazement, again 
secured him. A new battalion of soldiers was 
called, for the other, unnerved, had refused to fire 
again. During this inexpressible moment of hesi- 
tancy, God's hero looked upon the raging crowd of 
upturned faces with eyes of tenderness . . . were 
they not his misguided brothers ? and had he not 
come to lead them to nobler realities by his life or 
by his death? . . . Again the fire of hate gushed 
forth, and a shroud of smoke enveloped the dead 
body of the hero of God. But the eyes of the friends 
were filled with light ! 

( The women are deeply impressed ; one or 
two are crying.} 

A Guest 
What is the name of this great being ? 

Qurratu'Iv-'Ain 
{rising) 
It is he who has come to lead men to a wider 
truth; he is my lord and your master, Sayyid 'Ali 
Muhammad, the Bab! 



Shame ! shame ! 
words ! 



First Wife 
to have listened to your unholy 




QURRATU ' I/" ' AlN 

You weep over fiction, and repulse reality. 

Second Wife 
Let us go to see the bride's display of gifts. It will 
chase away these dismal and unwelcomed thoughts. 
{Exeunt women) 



85 








,..*^s« . 




if 41k* 





■■*v 




HUSAIN 

{rushing hi) 

Terrible news— dare I utter the indescribable tidings! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Speak, speak! In the name of Allah, speak! 

HUSAIN 

The slaughter of the Babis has already begun, and to 
implicate all men in this bloodshed, each representa- 
tive class of society has been allotted one or more 
of the victims, to torture and kill as it sees fit. 
Thereby the subjects of His Majesty may prove 
their love and loyalty to their sovereign! No 
sooner had I heard this news in the palace than I 
saw the princes hacking the unfortunate Sayyid 
Hasan to death. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Sayyid Hasan ! 

Husain 

Rushing away, and passing by the royal stables, I 
saw the victim who had been handed over to the 
Master of the Horse. He and his grooms had 
nailed heavy horse shoes to the soles of his feet 
and were chasing him around with clubs and spikes ! 
Crazed with horror, I dashed out into the street, 
but on my way I heard a muffled detonation; soon 
some rejoicing artillery-men passed me by, calling 
out that they had plucked out the eyes of the Babi 
assigned them, and then blown him from the mouth 
of a gun ! 



86 





tSLffk 






X 





Act IV 



Hall of Festivities 








Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Oh, dreadful ! dreadful ! 

HUSAIN 

But I had yet to see the worst, for as I crossed the 
place nearing our house, I met a mob of jeering and 
hooting men, hurling dust and stones at two Babis 
walking in their midst. Allah ! Shall I ever forget 
the sight ! They were wounded in many parts of 
their bodies, and in these wounds lighted candles 
were inserted. Still they walked on heroically and 
in the midst of these excruciating tortures, one 
sang and recited poetry. A bystander addressed 
him derisively, saying: "since you find dying so 
agreeable, why do you not dance for joy ?" The 
martyr answered with flashing eyes and smiling 
lips as he began to dance. 

"Grasping in one hand the wine cup, clinging to 
my Loved One's hair, 
Gaily dancing thus would I confront the scaffold 
in the square." 







How horrible ! 
derful ! 



QuRRATU'lv-'AlN 

but, how wonderful ! 

HUSAIN 



How won- 



Now have I hastened hither, fearing that the angered 
Akbar will denounce my father for harbouring a 
powerful Babi. He will surely surrender you to 
these slaughterers. You must depart from Tihran 
immediately. 



87 







rsv 



I go to prepare for your flight, I shall escort you 
simply as a devoted servant ; and, if you desire it, 
I will leave when you have reached a place of 
safety. 






I cannot. 



Qurratu'l-'Ain 



HUSAIN 





You must escape for the sake of the Cause you serve. 
Your life is needed. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
I cannot flee. 

HUSAIN 

You did so once— now you must again. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

Then my flight was useful; there was work to be 
done in freedom, by living; but now there is work 
to be done in captivity, by dying. 

HUSAIN 

Nay, against your will, I will save you! I shall 
return at once to take you to some remote village. 

(Exit Husain.) 






V 




Act IV 



Hall of Festivities 



Scene V 



.^j^-% ■ 




QuRRATu'if-'AiN, her Hand-maiden. Later Second 
Wife;. Servants and Husajn. 



Qurratu'e-'Ain 

{half to herself. Hand-maiden has entered 
in time to overhear the latter part of her conver- 
sation with Husain.) 

The hour of my death is approaching. L,ike a leaf in 
the tempest I am swept forward by the will of the 
Almighty. But I am at peace, for I feel that 
Baha'u'llah shall live on, through the protection of 
God, to establish the universal religion and brother- 
hood among all men. 

Second Wife 

{entering) 

The Amir's wife sends the message that she is desir- 
ous of seeing you; it is most urgent, and she begs 
that you will come at once, with the escort which 
is waiting. 

Qurratu'e- ' Ain 

What a useless subterfuge ! (Sends hand-maiden for 
her chadar. ) 

Second Wife 

Too bad that you must leave us before the feast is 
completed. 



89 








J&», 



God's Heroes 



Act IV— Hall of Festivities 








QURRATU'L-'AlN 

I thank you for your warm hospitality. Your kind- 
ness has touched me sweetly. (To hand-maiden 
who puts her chadar around her weeping.) Do not 
grieve. Share my new-gained joy! (Advances 
towards door.) Allah be praised that I am going 
to meet some trial that will prove my love ! I only 
wish that my life's work had been more complete. 
{Exit QurraTu'l-'Ain. Maidens enter and 
place bright coloured lamps around the fountain. 
Husain dashes in followed by servant.} 

HUSAIN 

Where is Tahira? 

Second Wife 
She left a few moments ago. 

Husain 
What! Where has she gone and with whom? 

Second Wife 
To the Amir's wife with an escort sent to fetch her. 

Husain 
No Amir's wife is seeking her company at such 
a critical hour. She is being taken to her death. 
(Pushing servant in front of him.) L,aggard, my 
horse! Ah, that I may find the place in time. 
My horse, my swiftest horse! 

( Maidens return and continue lighting the 
hall of festivities. ) 



CURTAIN. 







I 



90 



DESOLATE PARK and RUINED PAVILION 



A STONE WELL 




ACT V 



TIHRAN 



SUNSET 



THE AZAN CALLS THE FAITHFUL TO PRAYER 



91 





92 




ACT V 

Scene — A desolate park; ruined pavilion on 
one side, and stone well nearby. Sunset. Guards 
and Nasir arrive; soon after Akbar, Ahmad, and 
other Mullas. 

Scene 



Akbar 

(entering) 
Greetings to you all on this, the eventful close, of this 
eventful day. 

Ahmad 
What is the number of Babis slain since noon ? 

Akbar 
To my knowledge, over twenty-five are killed by now, 
and Allah be praised ! the most pernicious of them 
all, tonight, dies here. 

Ahmad 
I am amazed that Tahira is condemned; I was in His 
Majesty's presence when she was brought before 
him from Nur, when you and many others implored 
him to execute her, offering him most convicting 
evidences of her guilt; then, His Majesty would 
neither glance at your papers, nor listen to your 
words, but dismissed the whole matter saying : " I 
like her appearance, leave her and molest her not." 

Akbar 
His Majesty now feels differently. Now we win his 
favour by ridding the world of these conspiring 
heretics. 



vV8u 



93 




God't Heroes 

Ahmad 
But it has been difficult to find a willing execu- 
tioner, for the fame of her charm and intelligence 
have spread abroad. So, finally, we have had to 
offer Nasir freedom from prison on condition that 
he shall do this deed. 

Akbar 

(turning in the direction where Nasir is 
crouched with bozved head and sullen face~) 

Ivook up, Nasir! By this act you will be uplifted 
into the esteem of men. 

Ahmad 
Do you believe that such violent persecution will 
quell this uprising ? Since we slew the leader, his 
cause has grown a thousandfold, and bloodshed 
only increases the mad enthusiasm of his followers. 
Seeds of faith watered with the blood of martyrdom 
have brought forth a mighty harvest. 

Akbar 
It is our duty to slay all the enemies of Allah and of 
the Prophet. We priests, are the guardians of 
truth, and through us onl}', must the people know 
God. We, for the sake of our flocks, must end this 
impending danger. 

Ahmad 
I hear that this despised sect has no priesthood ; that 
every man individually must seek for knowledge and 
salvation, and take the duties of life upon himself 
like religious vows. 





Desolate Park and Ruined Pavilion 



Akbar 



You have rightly heard. They would overthrow the 
established priesthood, and have us priests become 
like other men. Bah ! They are spiritual socialists. 
But the hour is growing late. I wonder what 
delays the escort. Think you she divines . . . 
and has refused to come ? 

Ahmad 
I have heard that she is fearless. 

Akbar 
In words, more than in deeds ; like most fair creatures ! 

Ahmad 
Her eloquence is renowned, and it is claimed that her 
arguments from the Sacred Books are unequalled. 

Akbar 
She has the honeyed tongue of Satan. {The sound of 
rapidly approaching hoofs is heard.} Soldiers, take 
Nasir away to the end of the garden. His resolu- 
tion may fail at sight of her. 



Scene II 



Later Husain. 



The same. QurraTu'i^-'Ain and Guards. 
QURRATU'lXAlN 

In what name shall I salute you, seeing the atrocities 
you have countenanced and performed today ? The 
road is strewn with martyrs, and yonder fierce up- 
roar is the exultant cry of the assassins. Forsake 
these habits of wild beasts, and become worthy of 
the name of Man! Why use brute force against 
spirit ? If our belief is erroneous, dispel the error 



95 





God's Heroes 

by reasoning with us amicably; if it is true, can any 
material power suppress it ? Ah ! realize— realize 
your folly! Escape from this hell of ignorance 
and of vice ! {The guards appear moved.) It 
is not my life that I ask of you: I ask you not to 
become hardened into butchers of men. You are 
the officials of our country: serve it then to up- 
lift it. Persia will not again be arrayed in the glory 
of the past, until justice and liberty reign over the 
whole land. For the good of our country, forget 
petty strife and selfish ambition, and rest not until 
the hour of emancipation has come. Do you think 
it brave or useful, to be here to entrap one weak 
woman ? Shame on your false manhood ! {turning 
to Mullas.) And you, the elect— the chosen guides ! 
I call upon your conscience; I appeal to your heart, 
to weigh well what I am saying. Can an expres- 
sion of truth be final, when all other things are 
growing and changing ? Can God, the Infinite 
Power of life, be limited to one person or one 
dogma ? Men look to you for teaching and guid- 
ance; turn your eyes to the re-dawning Sun, and 
become illumined by its splendour! Great can be 
your work if you will put aside your pride and 
serve mankind by expounding this new religion 
— the fulfillment of the ancient faiths! Be true 
shepherds of your flocks, lead them to fresh verdant 
pastures. You will find joy in this noble act, and 
eternal renown, far beyond the transitory applause 
of men. Reflect, humanity is one great family : do 
you think that you can serve the divine principle 
of fatherhood, by destroying the bodies of the 
children ? 



96 





Act V Desolate Park and Ruined Pavilion 

Ahmad 
{to Akbar.) 

It is a shame that one so eloquent should die. Per- 
haps she will yet return to our sacred faith. 

Akbar 
You waste your time, and the hour advances. 

Ahmad 
You are noble but misguided, Tahira. Let me save 
you from your error. Retract your declaration of 
faith, and do not openly desert the religion of your 
forefathers, thereby placing yourself under the law 
of death. 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
Your intention is kindly, therefore am I touched; but 
I cannot deny what I know to be true. I cannot 
be false to sincerity and to conviction. I cannot 
shrink back. I cannot put aside the knowl- 
edge of my immortal soul to save my body of dust. 
Is it better to live a few more years by relinquish- 
ing inward joy and understanding, or to die pre- 
maturely, retaining all things worth possessing ? 
Share with me, I beseech you, my endless wealth, 
my subtle happiness. Do not remain in poverty 
and sorrow. Your state is like unto death, though 
you are alive. My state is eternal life, though I 
am on the threshold of death ! 

Ahmad 
She does not falter:— is this woman divine? 



\Wou 



97 




God's Heroes 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 
I follow my master, and Quddus, and my comrades, 
over the river of blood, into the Kingdom of peace! 

Ahmad 
Shameful that this woman must die ! 

Qurratu'l-'Ain 

{Follows guards lo Ihe pavilion; she mounts the 
stairs slowly, and turning, addresses her accusers. ) 

Remember : the Divine Essence is one and infinite, 
and its attributes are manifest in all. Remember : 
body is the shadow, spirit is the reality; and good 
deeds are the voice of the soul! 

My soul prays for you. When my body is no more, 
my spirit will yet have power to help you onward : 
my thoughts will surround you with loving in- 
fluence. Gradually your hearts will soften and your 
eyes receive sight. You will see what I see. Nay, 
your hearts will feel what I feel, and your lips will 
proclaim the Truth that I proclaim. 

(Qurratu'i.-'Ain enters the pavilion. NasiR 
is brought back.) 

Akbar 
Take this scarf, strangle her with it. Recall that 
you were turned out from home because of this 
woman. Do your deed quickly and thoroughly. 
Do not let her speak. Do not look at her face. 
Finish your task before the Azan rises on the still 

air. 

(Nasir disappears. The sound of galloping 
horses is heard; it stops suddenly and Husain 
rushes in with his escort.) 



\W0^ 



98 





Desolate Park and Ruined Pavilion 



Why are you here assembled with such grim and 
guilty faces ? Speak ! 

Akbar 

Youth has lost respect for years, and commands, in- 
stead of using humble entreaty. 

Husain 

You would gain time by hollow words and deceitful 
manner, but I know that Tahira is near, and that 
you are here to murder her. 

Akbar 

Do you consider it innocent to break vows and to 
attack the established religion? 




Husain 




Husain 

(to his escort") 

Search the park. ( To Akbar. ) Your conduct makes 
me think that the truth and love of God are with 
her, and the error and hate of Satan with you. 
Where is your victim? Speak! 

( Receiving no answer, Husain looks around, 
sees the pavilion and rushes towards it. Guards 
cross swords with him. Just then the Azan breaks . 
upon the air. Husain continues to force his way 
up the stairs. Suddenly, Nasir appears on the 
threshold of the pavilion with Qurratu'i,-'Ain's 
lifeless body in his arms. The green scarf hangs 
round her slender throat. ) 



God's Heroes 



Dead! 




Husain 




{Taking Qurratu'l-'Ain he lays her on the 
ground and weeps over her. During the rest oj 
the scene the Azan continues to sound and the 
Mullas perform their prayer in the gathering 
gloom. ) 

Tahira, Tahira! Loveliest of women, the truest of 
disciples ! Your death opens my eyes to the mean- 
ing of your life, and I will fervently follow your 
example and cherish the Cause that has made a 
noble woman a divine martyr. Ah! Tahira, 
Tahira ! I feel your radiant spirit in the darkness 
of my sorrow. I will become more worthy to love 
you. {Stands and addresses those present.} Your 
prayers are empty, for your hearts do not know 
charity. Real prayer is the spirit of Tahira 
ascending to the Kingdom of freedom and love! 
Do not grovel on the earth, but arise through 
repentance to better lives. 

(Nasir seems terrified by QurraTu'i>'Ain's 
lifeless body; he seems to dread that she is not 
really dead; that she will awaken to admonish him. 
During the latter part of this speech, unseen by 
Husain he snatches up her body, drops it into the 
well, and begins piling stones upon it. At this 
moment Husain turns toward hitn.) 



Act V Desolate Park and Ruined Pavilion 

HUSAIN 

Cease your profanation ! . . . weak of purpose ! Do 
you think that you can bury her there? She will 
reappear, and be ever before you all ! You have 
rendered her immortal in the minds of men, and her 
spirit of love will be transmitted to millions of liv- 
ing hearts. You have undone your work and 
have established her fame. Forever after Tahira 
will inspire courage and sincerity and truth ! 

( The Azan continues to call the Faithful to 
prayer. ) 





CURTAIN 




102 









HISTORICAL EVENTS ON WHICH 
THE PLAY IS BASED. 

5^" t^* t&* 

In 1848 Qurratu'l-'Ain was about twenty-eight 
years of age. She was renowned for her beauty, elo- 
quence, learning and poetry. In Karbala she became 
a follower of Sayyid *Ali Muhammad, the Bab. When 
she returned to Qaswin, her native town, she was 
divorced by her husband on account of her belief. 
She was detained in her father's house, and later was 
accused of instigating her uncle's murder, for two 
reasons: her known association with the Babis, and 
her saying, in speaking of her uncle, Haji Mulla Muh. 
Taqi, when he denounced the Bab: "I see his mouth 
fill with blood." * Three Babis were arrested for this 
murder. Then Mirza Salih Shirazi, a new follower of 
the Bab, who, still under the influence of former 
customs, had killed Haji Mulla Muh. Taqi, surrendered 
himself, saying that he alone was responsible for 
the crime. Nevertheless, all four were condemned. 2 
Qurratu'l-'Ain, now under great suspicion, remained 
a prisoner in her father's home until Baha'u'llah ordered 
her to escape to Tihran with Agha Hadi. She stayed in 
Baha'u'llah's house a few days before starting out for 
the Mazandaran. There, a great council of Babis was 
held at Badasht, at which were discussed ways of 







104 











$> 



% 



spreading the Cause, whether they should attempt 
to release the Bab from prison, et cetera. 

In this early stage of the Babi religion, many of 
its followers did not understand its real mission. 
Baha'u'llah, who was present at Badasht, announced 
that the Cause should be fully disclosed at that place ; 
there Qurratu'l-'Ain, on her own initiative, one day, 
her face unveiled, entered an assembly of men, and 
proclaimed that it was the Day of Resurrection. From 
her act and words great consternation ensued, in the 
midst of which Baha'u'llah gave the order to read 
aloud the sura of the Quran describing the Day of 
Resurrection. Many turned away from the Cause; 
one man even killed himself. 

Janabi Quddus, the greatly gifted disciple of the 
Bab, and sympathetic fellow-helper of Qurratu'l-'Ain, 
was killed as described, at the fall of Shaykh Tabarsi. 
To defend Qurratu'l-'Ain against slander and abuse, 
the Bab named her Tahira, which means "The 
Pure." After leaving Badasht she stayed in Nur, 
and from there— when Shaykh Tabarsi had capitu- 
lated—she was brought prisoner to Tihran and led 
before the Shah, who dismissed her with the words 
quoted in the fifth Act; nevertheless, she was con- 
fined in the Kalantar's house for about two years. In 
1850, Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad, the Bab, and a disciple 
were martyred, as related in the play. In 1852 a 
deranged Babi made an attempt on the Shah's life; 







105 











& 



many members of the community were hunted down and 
killed ; several of these deaths are depicted by Husain 
in Act IV. On that same fateful day Qurratu'l-'Ain 
was brought from the Kalantar's house to a desolate 
garden, and there a negro was commanded to strangle 
her. She died with great fortitude; her body was 
thrown into a dry well which stood in the garden. 
Babism increased and spread throughout Persia, 
and developed, through the influence of Baha'u'llah, 
into Bahaism, called by his name— the Universal Re- 
ligion, which is now influencing men of all races and 
beliefs, throughout the world. 

t&r* f£fr e^* 

(1) Haji Mulla Muh. Taqi was in reality killed at 
dawn after the morning prayer, but, for the sake of 
the dramatic development, his death has been placed 
an hour or two later. 

(2) When Mirza Salih Shirazi saw that his self- 
accusation had not saved his comrades he managed to 
escape from prison and was one of the Babis killed at 
the siege of Shaykh Tabarsi. 

N. B. — The verses quoted in Act IV are translations from the 
original Persian by the erudite Orientalist, Professor 
Edward G. Browne. 









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